Cargo complex to move

Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: In a bid to resolve the difficulties in cargo movement that may arise once the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport becomes functional, the cargo complex of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) is being shifted to Chackai from Shangumugham.
The new cargo complex would come up on the two acres of land allotted by the State Government to the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RGAAT) opposite the Government ITI. The existing facilities of the cargo complex, which also occupies an area of around two acres, would, in turn, be handed over to RGAAT for setting up the academy.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that though a decision to set up facilities for the cargo complex at the site in Chackai was taken more than a month ago, no further steps in this regard were taken.
KSIE Managing Director M D Josemon said that though the design of the structures at Chackai was already completed, KSIE was yet to get actual possession of the land. RGAAT Executive Vice Chairman V Thulasidas, however, said that it was for the KSIE to take further steps in this regard.
The decision to swap the land between the two agencies, both of which are under the State Government, was taken at a meeting attended by Law Minister M Vijayakumar and Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem here on July 20. KSIE MD Josemon had said at the meeting that temporary facilities could be set up at the land at Chackai within three months for shifting the export cargo unit. It is now nearly one-and-a-half months since the decision was taken, it is being pointed out.
Once the present cargo complex of KSIE is handed over to RGAAT, the existing facilities there could be utilised for the Academy. ‘’We hope to use the existing warehouse as a hangar and the buildings could be used as an office as well as training blocks,’’ said Thulasidas.
KSIE sources said that the export cargo, which constitutes the major chunk of the operations at the cargo complex, would be shifted to Chackai, whereas the import cargo operations would be handled on the existing premises itself. The entire cargo operations may be later shifted to a new cargo complex planned near the Enchakkal side, Josemon said.
Meanwhile, the decision to shift the cargo complex to Chackai would be an advantage to the exporters operating from here as it is more adjacent to the city as well as the NH bypass than the existing one at Shangumugham.
The decision to shift the cargo complex to Chackai has been taken in view of the practical difficulties in shifting cargo from the new terminal to the cargo complex once the new terminal becomes operational.